Living in your home

Rights, Responsibilities and Repairs

Your Agent/Landlord is responsible for...

🟧 Keeping the outside of your home in good repair, including things like drains, gutters and outside pipes.

🟧 Making sure your water, gas, electricity, heating and hot-water systems, as well as sinks, baths and toilets, all work properly and kept in good condition.

🟧 Use our recommended procedure for reporting repairs and get in touch with us if your landlord is refusing to carry out repair works.

🟧 Providing you with the agents/landlords full name and address. The address must be in England or Wales.

🟧 Providing you with a copy of the valid current Gas Safety Certificate and HMO Licence (where applicable). (For further information see our Code of Standards)

🟧 Allowing you to 'peacefully enjoy' your accommodation (unless there is an emergency).

🟧 ​Agents/Landlords have the right to enter the property at reasonable times to carry out the repairs for which they are responsible and to inspect the condition and the state of repair of the property. They must give at least 24 hours' notice in writing of an inspection. It would be helpful to set out the arrangements for access and procedures for getting repairs done in the tenancy agreement.

🟧 Providing you with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).

You are responsible for...

🟧 Acting in a 'Tenant-like manner'. This means you should perform the smaller tasks around the house such as: changing a light bulb; unblocking sinks when clogged with waste; and cleaning the windows when necessary.

🟧 Not damaging the house, if you do then you and your guests are responsible for the repairs.

🟧 Refuse collections. Remember to find out the collection days from your local council. Put the wheelie bins out - and bring it back in again, it's illegal to leave them on the street. You can find your bin collection dates by going to the following websites: Manchester City Council or Salford City Council.

🟧 Securing the property when you go away - lock all the doors and windows!

🟧 Being aware of the impact of noise and parties.

🟧 Reporting all repairs needed to the agent/landlord (preferably in writing). The landlord's/agent's responsibility to repair begins only when they are aware of the problem. If the fault is not corrected within a reasonable period of time (dependant upon the nature of the disrepair) then seek advice from Manchester Student Homes, the Students' Union Advice Centre, Accommodation Office or Citizen's Advice.

🟧 For more information, watch this video about living in your home.

 

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Managing your energy bills

Manchester Student Homes has partnered with Students Organising for Sustainability (SOS-UK) to help you get the best out of your student home with advice on energy usage, efficiency and bills. Here are some top tips to managing your bills:

 

🟧 Set up a direct debit – Most energy providers will allow you to set up a monthly direct debit based on an average usage throughout the year. This will allow you to build up credit in the summer and avoid large bills in the winter, making it easier to manage your budget. 

🟧 Take regular meter readings – Submit a meter reading to your energy provider every month to ensure you’re paying enough to keep on top of your usage and avoid any surprise bills! 

🟧 Shop around for the best rate – Energy prices and standing charges can vary by provider, so make sure you look around for the best rate. It may also be cheaper to go on a fixed or flexible tariff, depending on the energy prices at the time you set your utilities up. 

 

Need advice on managing your energy usage? Visit our energy efficiency page for a list of top tips!

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Being a Good Neighbour

 

Meet your neighbours! Living in an off-campus area means you are now part of a vibrant and diverse local community which extends further than your immediate neighbours. Take the time to get to know your area and introduce yourself to the people who live near you. It may be worth exchanging numbers should you need to contact each other in case of an emergency.

You can see look at our Welcome to the Community guide for more information.

 

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Safety and Security

 

Download the WalkSafe+ app, the UK's leading personal safety phone app. You can use it to share your journey with trusted contacts, access safety information and report concerns to help keep safe while moving around the city. Download the SafeZone app, which you can use in areas of Fallowfield and Victoria Park, as well as The University of Manchester campus, Manchester Metropolitan University campus and the University of Salford campus. You can use the SafeZone app to get assistance on any of these campuses — no matter which of the universities you attend. 

If you’re a victim of crime, or witness a crime, you can report it to the police on 101, visit your local police station or report it online. If you’re in danger, or it’s an emergency, call 999.  If you or someone you know has experienced or witnessed any form of bullying, harassment, discrimination, gender based violence, hate or micro-aggressions, or have a safeguarding concern, you can report it anonymously or get support from a trained advisor through Report + Support at The University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University. 

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Home Security

 

Reduce the risk of burglary by making sure your home is secure:

🟧 Keep doors and windows locked (make sure that window lock keys are supplied).

🟧 Use your house alarm.

🟧 Add window alarms to your ground floor windows.

🟧 Use light timers to make your home look occupied.

🟧 Check the ID of any contractors and confirm with the landlord if contractors show up to ‘repair’ something unexpectedly.

🟧 Keep valuable items out of sight.

🟧 Register any valuable property (eg. laptops, tablets, smart phones) on Immobilise free of charge. This will assist the police to return lost or stolen items to their rightful owners and also acts as a deterrent to offenders.

You can pick up free personal attack alarms, window alarms and light timers from the Manchester Student Homes Pod.

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Gas Safety - Act Fast, Stay Safe

The moment you suspect a gas leak or carbon monoxide, shut off the gas supply immediately. Don't wait, don't second-guess. Call National Grid on 0800 111 999 right away. If any gas appliance looks or feels wrong, walk away from it — don't touch it, don't use it.

Know where your gas meter and cut-off valve are before you ever need them. Get a full walkthrough on every gas appliance in the property, especially the boiler — ask questions until you're completely confident. The moment anything seems wrong, report it to your landlord in writing, straight away.

Never attempt DIY repairs on any gas appliance. Gas work is for qualified engineers only — no exceptions. And never leave food cooking unattended. Step out of the room, turn it off.

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Electrical Safety - Know Your Rights, Stay Protected

Your landlord is legally responsible for ensuring the electrical installation in your home is safe, and every appliance they provide must be safe to use. There should also be a user guide available for every appliance in the property — if one is missing, ask for it.

When your landlord needs to test the electrical installation, let them in. They must give you 24 hours' written notice, and this testing is there to protect you. If any appliance stops working or seems unsafe, report it to your landlord in writing, immediately — don't leave it.

Always use appliances according to their instructions. Never overload a single socket by plugging in too many appliances at once — if you need more sockets, ask. Don't ignore worn or damaged flexes on any appliance; a frayed wire is a fire and electrocution risk. And never attempt DIY repairs on appliances or sockets. Like gas, electrical work is for qualified professionals only — no exceptions.

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Fire Safety

 

Your landlord is legally required to provide adequate fire precautions and a clear means of escape. Before you move in, check the property has everything it should.

 


What to look out for

 

🟧 Smoke detectors in the hall and on the landing, and possibly other rooms too.

🟧 Bedroom door locks with no keyhole on the inside — you must be able to get out without a key. 

🟧 A front door lock with no keyhole on the inside.

🟧 A fire blanket in the kitchen.

If any of these are missing, don't settle for it — move on to the next property and report it.

Do

 

🟧 Sit down with your housemates and agree on an escape plan before you ever need one. 

🟧 Test battery smoke alarms every week without fail. 

🟧 Allow your landlord access to service fire extinguishers or the detection system — they must give you 24 hours' written notice.

Don't

 

🟧 Disconnect or tamper with smoke alarms — it puts every person in the house at risk and invalidates your landlord's insurance. 

🟧 Touch the smoke detector heads — they are wired to the mains. 

🟧 Block hallways, landings, or passageways with bikes, furniture, plants, or anything else — a clear escape route could save your life. 

🟧 Prop your bedroom door open or disconnect the door closer — it is your first line of defence against fire spreading.

 

 

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Waste and Recycling

 

When you move in, it's important to know your bin schedule and how to properly sort your bins. If your bins are overflowing or have the wrong things in them, they won't be collected, so it's important to start off on the right foot!

Here are some tips for managing your bins when you move in:

🟧 If you have wheelie bins, you can find out when they get collected here.

🟧 Check what goes in each bin! Find out how to separate your waste and recycling here.

🟧 If your recycling bins have been contaminated, or if you have a large item to dispose of, you can request a collection here.

🟧 Make sure your bins are numbered! You can pick up free bin numbers from our Pod.

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Noise

 

If you are disturbed by a noise problem at any time, day or night, you can report it to Manchester City Council. At weekends or at night (between 6pm and 9am) you can report a noise issue to Manchester City Council on 0161 234 5004. Officers from the council can then visit the property. Your details will NOT be shared with those causing the problem. 

How to avoid receiving a noise complaint

  • Keep doors and windows closed, and people indoors as much as possible
    Most noise complaints happen because there are people outside the property late at night and in the early hours. People talking outside and music leaking from open doors or windows can disturb your neighbours - even a few people smoking outside can make a lot of noise in the early hours.
  • Notify your neighbours and give them a contact number
    Avoid noise complaints by notifying your neighbours about any parties you have planned and by giving them a way to get in touch with you. It’s better that they ask you to turn to music down, rather than complaining to the council about the noise. Be mindful of the properties that back onto to you, as well as your immediate neighbours.
  • Avoid planning parties for weekdays and Sundays
    Most people, students included, are more tolerant of parties and noise at the weekends. So, when planning a party, avoid weekdays and Sundays. 
  • Control the numbers
    Most parties that get complained about are ones that get out of hand. Keep your front door closed and locked, and only let people in that you actually know. Gatecrashers tend not to respect your house or your neighbours, and can be a safety risk to you and your friends.

 

What happens if someone complains?
Manchester Student Homes takes any complaints from the community very seriously. If a complaint is made about your property, it will be followed up with a visit from the Universities’ Off Campus Affairs Officer and a Manchester City Council officer from the noise team to investigate the matter. Your household is responsible for noise at your property, including from any guests.

If the complaints continue, you could be served a Noise Abatement Notice. Any noise-making appliances can be seized, it can result in an unlimited fine and serious offences could lead to prosecution. You could also be referred to your university’s Conduct and Discipline department, which may lead to formal disciplinary proceedings.

 

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Preparing to Move Out

 

When you’re getting ready to move out of your student accommodation, it’s important to know which type of housing you live in, because the rules for ending your tenancy are different under the Renters’ Rights Act.

 

If you’re living in a shared HMO with full‑time student tenants, your landlord may use the new Ground 4A to regain the property for the next group of students. This only applies if all tenants are full‑time students and the landlord has followed the required steps in advance. In 2026, there are transitional rules that allow shorter notice periods for landlords in certain cases.

If you live in Purpose‑Built Student Accommodation (PBSA), your contract normally follows the academic year and ends automatically on the fixed end date. PBSA providers can continue using fixed‑term student contracts outside the standard private renting rules, which means early move‑out is usually only possible if a replacement student is found.

If you live in normal private housing, all tenancies became assured periodic tenancies from 1 May 2026. This means your tenancy automatically rolls on, and you can end it at any time by giving two months’ notice, offering more flexibility when planning your move.

Understanding whether you’re in PBSA or private housing will help you know how your tenancy ends, how much notice you need to give, and what to expect when moving out.

For further information, please visit Shelter.

Once you have confirmed your end of tenancy date, make sure you have a copy of your inventory and information on the Tenancy Deposit Scheme where your deposit is held - this will help when it comes to getting your deposit back.

 

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